It’s no secret that the fertile soil of the Willamette Valley is ideal for growing everything from hops and wine grapes to marionberries, but did you know the Salem area is one of the most vibrant places in Oregon in terms of gardens and greenhouses to explore? Something is always blooming during spring and summer and here’s where you can watch the magic happen.

A stroll through this five-acre public park in the heart of Salem is like taking a walk back in time. With its 1894 Victorian house, historic formal gardens with roses and hydrangeas, exotic greenhouse and groomed nature trails, Deepwood has summer adventures and events galore. The formal English gardens are meticulously kept and divided by pretty hedges and arches. The greenhouse is home to orchids, birds of paradise and other exotics. Wander along the nature trail to Pringle Creek and you’ll even discover a native-plant garden. Free guided tours are offered every Thursday at noon through October.

Salem’s 90-acre Bush's Pasture Park is home to the Bush House Museum, as well as inviting trails, clear creeks, Oregon white oaks, and a rose garden with over 2,000 roses that burst with color every summer. Almost 100 different varieties of roses dating from the 1950s through 2017 are on display and the collection is stunning. The historic Bush Conservatory, or greenhouse, is also not to be missed. Built in 1882 by Asahel Bush for his daughters and restored in 2011, it’s the oldest greenhouse in Oregon and filled with plants that were popular in Victorian times. The rose garden and greenhouse are free and open to the public.

Every botanically inclined visitor needs to visit the Oregon Garden, 14 miles northeast of Salem in Silverton. This pet-friendly garden sprawls over 80 acres and features more than 20 specialty gardens showcasing the botanical bounty of the Willamette Valley and Pacific Northwest. The landscaped hills are buzzing with bees and butterflies and the kids will love the tree fort in the children’s garden. Take a quiet stroll via the ADA-friendly paths or ride the narrated tram and learn fun garden facts. Be sure to check out the summer event calendar and hit the lovely cafe for lunch. Even better, stay the night at the plush Oregon Garden Resort.

This nonprofit park and arboretum located about 15 miles west of Salem is practically a living museum of the region’s native plants and ecosystems. It nestles against the gently flowing Rickreall Creek, which feeds numerable species of Oregon flora and fauna, and the wetlands and dry rock gardens nourish rare shrubs and wildflowers year round. Explore the maintained loop trails and learn about plant species from the informative signs. Or bring the kids for a day of nature walks followed by a family picnic. There’s something fun for everyone and entry is always free.

If you’re into blooming shade plants, unusual perennials and plants from all over the world, Salem’s Sebright Gardens has four landscaped acres with plants from six continents and a retail nursery stocked with shade plants like hostas, hardy ferns and Epimediums. The sheer number of hostas they offer is staggering, over 1,000 varieties, and just wait until you see what the gorgeous display garden has to offer. Take a summer stroll and ogle the blooming lilies and heady plumerias. If this garden doesn’t give you the growing bug, no garden will. Throw your questions at the knowledgeable staff and have a few new shady favorites shipped home for your own garden.